Degree

Last changed: 13 June 2016 - slu.se
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The aim of a higher education is usually a degree. A degree is a proof that you have acquired knowledge and proficiency to a certain level through your studies. When you have considered that you have completed your studies and want to get your degree certificate, you have to apply for it.

Apply for your degree

There are two ways to apply for a degree from SLU;

Once the application is submitted to the university, it takes one to three weeks before the degree certificate is sent to you. This is provided that all courses are completed, reported into LADOK and that the application is complete.

When you apply for your degree from SLU we would appreciate if you could also complete the programme valuation for your specific programme. When you and other students valuated our programs, we are able to improve them for future years. 

Higher education

Since 1 July 2007 the Swedish higher education has gone through a radical reformation. All higher education is now divided into three cycles: first cycle, second cycle and third cycle. For a degree at second cycle a Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits is required. It is not possible to include more credits in a degree than needed to fulfil the requirements. The extent of a course or study programme shall be denoted by credits, with full-time study during an academic year of 40 weeks corresponding to 60 credits.

Higher education system

The higher education system that came into force on 1 July 2007 is part of the harmonisation of higher education in Sweden with the rest of Europe.

All courses and study programmes and degrees are divided into three levels:

  • First cycle
  • Second cycle
  • Third cycle

Each level builds on education at the previous level. All degrees are allocated to one of these levels and have a precise scope in terms of credits. You cannot therefore include more credits in your degree than specified in the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance. The new higher education system also contains two types of degree – a professional qualification and a general qualification. The Higher Education Ordinance specifies that general qualifications must include “progressive specialisation within the primary area (main field of study) of the programme”. SLU uses the term “main field of study”, which replaces the previous term “main subject”.

General first-cycle qualifications:

Higher Education Diploma. Awarded for a completed course of 120 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be within a main field of study, including an independent project worth at least 7.5 credits.

Degree of Bachelor. Awarded for a completed course of 180 credits, of which at least 90 credits must be with progressive specialisation within a main field of study, including an independent project worth at least 15 credits.

General second-cycle qualifications:

Degree of Master (60 credits). Awarded for a completed course of 60 credits, of which at least 30 credits must be with specialisation within a main field of study, including an independent project worth at least 15 credits. There is an additional requirement to have been awarded a qualification of at least 180 credits (3 years) or equivalent foreign qualification.

Degree of Master (120 credits). Awarded for a completed course of 120 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be with specialisation within a main field of study, including an independent project worth at least 30 credits. There is an additional requirement to have been awarded a qualification of at least 180 credits (3 years) or equivalent foreign qualification.

The following main fields of study are specified by SLU for general qualifications:

  • Biology
  • Veterinary Nursing (first-cycle only)
  • Business Administration
  • Equine Science (first-cycle only)
  • Animal Science
  • Chemistry
  • Agricultural Science
  • Rural Development
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Landscape Planning
  • Food Science
  • Soil Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Economics
  • Forest Management
  • Forest Sciences
  • Technology
  • Horticultural Science
  • Veterinary Medicine

Professional qualifications at first-cycle level:

  • Higher Education Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (120 credits)
  • Higher Education Diploma in Equine Science (120 credits)
  • Degree of Bachelor of Science in Landscape Construction and Management (180 credits)
  • Higher Education Diploma in Agricultural and Rural Management (120 credits)
  • Degree of Bachelor of Science in Forest Management (180 credits)
  • Higher Education Diploma in Horticultural Management (120 credits)

Professional qualifications at second-cycle level:

  • Degree of Master of Science in Agriculture (270 credits)
  • Degree of Master of Science in Horticulture (300 credits)
  • Degree of Master of Science in Forestry (300 credits)
  • Degree of Master of Science in Landscape Architecture (300 credits)
  • Degree of Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine (330 credits)

Internal regulations relating to first-cycle and second-cycle qualifications at SLU (149 kb, in Swedish only)

 

Degrees

First cycle

General degrees:

  • Higher Education Diploma
  • Bachelor of Science

Professional degrees:

  • Higher Education Diploma in Veterinary Nursing
  • Higher Education Diploma in Equine Science
  • Higher Education Diploma in Agricultural and Rural Management
  • Higher Education Diploma in Horticultural Management
  • Bachelor of Science in Landscape Construction and Management
  • Bachelor of Science in Forest Management

Second cycle

General degrees:

  • Master of Science (60 credits)
  • Master of Science (120 credits)

Professional degrees:

  • Master of Science in Agriculture
  • Master of Science in Horticulture
  • Master of Science in Forestry
  • Master of Science in Landscape Architecture
  • Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine

Third cycle

  • Licentiate
  • Doctor of Philosophy

 

Facts:

Diploma Supplement

In accordance with a decision made by the Swedish government all degree certificates issued by the university must include a Diploma Supplement. The Diploma Supplement describes the content and scope of the education that led to the degree and its place in the Swedish higher education system. Diploma Supplement will facilitate the recognition of the higher education abroad and make easier access to opportunities of work or further studies in other countries. Diploma Supplement follows the model developed by the European Commission, Council of Europe and UNESCO/CEPES. The Diploma Supplement is being issued automatically, in a widely spoken European language (English) and free of charge to every student upon graduation.

Example of Diploma supplement (2Mb).

Contact

Degree

Email
degree@slu.se

Telephone
+46 (0)18 67 28 00

Telephone hours:
Monday 10-12
Tuesday 10-12
Thursday 13-15

Send the application form to
SLU 
Division of Educational Affairs
Box 7010
750 07 Uppsala
Sweden

Page editor: utb-webb@slu.se